The DJ at Croke Park is having a blinder following Mayo’s win. ‘To Win Just Once’ by the Saw Doctors followed by “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence and the Machine.

Road deaths are preventable, but the political class are unwilling to takes the measures needed. The usual woke, green,pro-cyclist agenda from (checks notes)…former motor racing boss Jean Todt.

Mike Spillane@spillanemike.com · 2w ago

1.2 million people are killed on the world’s roads every year. 50 million are injured. It is the leading cause of death for children and young people aged 5 a 29 a toll so constant that Mr. Todt calls it “a silent pandemic on the road.” news.un.org/en/story/202...

I think Ben Stokes retiring mid-match in a live Test series is unbelievably self-indulgent. This match and series was completely winnable, but sacrificed to his ego. I can’t believe he’s getting such a soft interview on Sky Sports.

Incredible series win for Ireland’s men’s cricketers against world T20 champions India. With the women’s T20 World Cup win against WI yesterday, new Cricket Ireland CEO Sarah Keane must think this is the cushiest job in sport!

This is a great piece by Mike Whalley. It’s like Dunphy’s ‘Only a Game’, but from the perspective of the journalist. Press huddles outside lower league dressing rooms, you can almost smell the liniment.

Mike Whalley@mikewhalley.bsky.social · 2mo ago

'Tonda Eckert isn’t the first person to make headlines by telling someone they've got to go to Middlesbrough and get something.' My 2025-26 season review, in five parts. The whole thing is nearly 20,000 words, so just look at the pictures if you prefer: mikewhalleyblog.wordpress.com/2026/06/01/n...

This an excellent piece on how the UK (under both the Tories and Labour) have created a coherent and impressive clean energy policy.

James Murray@james-bg.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Enjoyed writing this for @iandunt.bsky.social excellent substack. Labour does have a genuinely inspiring vision and impressive track record. It's called net zero and if the government talked about it more it might start to improve its fortunes. iandunt.substack.com/p/guest-post...

Just catching on SNL UK episodes. The musical guest, Meek, blew me away. Kate Bush, Freddie Mercury and Adele all in one performance. She’s playing Dublin Academy on November 17. m.youtube.com/watch?v=JtQ9...

MEEK: Fabulous | SNL UK

YouTube video by Saturday Night Live UK

m.youtube.com

Happy birthday, Margaret Calvert. She designed the “School children crossing”sign, and purposely placed the girl in front as a small feminist gesture.

Aaron King@9000lives.org · 3mo ago

Happy Birthday to Margaret Calvert today. 90 years old and what an impact! Her work is in every local town. A Margaret thread 🧵1/11

This is a magnificent match report/reaction piece by Miguel on West Ham 0-1 Arsenal. Snappy opening line, the pointed joke in para 2, then a really impressive overview.

Miguel Delaney@migueldelaney.bsky.social · 3mo ago

An arm extended, one hand on the title - the decision was right - Kavanagh had to referee the moment, not the season - Odegaard the real difference maker - Raya maybe the real player of the season - West Ham show fight - a bad game with cinematic quality www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

It’s genuinely impressive that so many people saw @daraobriain.bsky.social’s Re-Creation tour and all independently decided not to spoil the show for others by keeping quiet about the INCREDIBLE reveal 3/4 of the way through. It’s now on Amazon Prime, if you want to see it.

Katie and the Pigs@katieandthepigs.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Watching @daraobriain.bsky.social’s latest special and my involuntary gasp of “NOOOOOOO!” at a pivotal reveal scared the bejeezus out of the guinea pigs. 😆

Today, for the first time, I’m letting my nine year old cycle a short distance on his own along a protected cycle lane. I’m going to be a bag of nerves until he returns. I’m thinking of Greta today, and all victims of road traffic collisions.

@dlrcycling.bsky.social · 3mo ago

RIP Greta Price-Martin second year anniversary today.

I had to check this book wasn’t a spoof! Sitka monocultures are a biodiversity dead zone. The wrong trees, planted in the wrong place. www.irishexaminer.com/news/spotlig...

Seeing the wood for the trees — why our Sitka planting policy needs the chop

We’ve got so little of our ancient forests, like Beara's Uragh Wood, left in this country, probably less than 0.25%, many are insisting it's time we see the light and deliver a root and branch reform ...

irishexaminer.com

Conn Donovan@conndonovan.bsky.social · 4mo ago

A "Sitka Spruce, the Amazing Timber Tree" book was sent to every primary school in Ireland this week.

Cycled in the city centre this morning and now my attitude to the Fuel Blockade has changed entirely. I love what they're doing and it should continue. Made it down to TCD in rapid time with zero threat of close passing. These guys make cycling irresistible

One interesting side effect of the Dublin city centre fuel protest was the number of gardai patrolling the roads. It meant no cars went into the bus/cycle lane at all, and made my bike journey a lot more relaxed. Thank you, fuel protesters!

“Sir Keir Starmer is an FPTP Prime Minister of an increasingly PR-STV UK electorate. Discuss.” If any politics teachers or lecturers are looking for new exam questions!

FT Visual & Data Journalism@data.ft.com · 5mo ago

Starmer hits out at ‘extremes’ of left and right after Green by-election victory ft.trib.al/z8EM27L

It’s so cute when people recreate old family photos. Such fun!

@nathanrjohns.bsky.social You were very good on BBC TMS yesterday. Really insightful stuff, well done.

I’ve finally watched ‘Eternity’, written and directed by Ireland’s David Freyne. It’s so good. So many funny lines, including a great running joke throwing shade at the Korean War. www.irishtimes.com/culture/film...

Eternity review: This charming comedy is Irish director David Freyne’s best film yet

Elizabeth Olsen, Miles Teller and Callum Turner star as a recently deceased trio who must decide how to spend the rest of time

irishtimes.com

Such a shame to hear of the death of Noel Hawkins. 49 years behind the bar at Mulligans on Poolbeg Street.

The Irish Times@irishtimes.com · 6mo ago

Poolbeg Lighthouse – Frank McNally on the death of a much-loved Dublin barman

A great weekend of Italian football. My first time at Venezia, and my first time travelling to the stadium by boat. Then Bologna v Fiorentina on Sunday. I also like that Bologna prohibits cars on its Main Street at weekends.

Charlie getting us all into the festive spirit with an extremely unsettling ghost story…

Charlie Connelly@charlieconnelly.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Done yiz a ghost story for Christmas, because I'm good like that. charlieconnelly.substack.com/p/the-unburd...

I cannot understand how Paul Doyle can be allowed to drive ever again. UK sentencing guidelines need to be revised. This report suggests only four lifetime driving bans were imposed in the UK in 2023, out of 116,000 disqualifications. ukonward.com/reports/clea...

Cleared to Kill | Onward

Introduction In England and Wales overly lenient driving bans are being handed down to people who have been proved in a court of law, in some cases multiple times, to be very dangerous drivers. Yet un...

ukonward.com

Adam Tranter@adamtranter.bsky.social · 8mo ago

You might think that a man who drove into 100 people, using his car as a weapon, would NEVER be allowed to drive again. It turns out he will be able to, around three years after leaving prison by taking an extended retest. Why should he ever be able to get behind the wheel again?

I think I saw Greta Thunberg on the DART going into Dublin last night. And if it wasn’t, apologies to the woman I waved at through the window. Is she in Dublin at the moment? I see she’s speaking at Dalymount Park on Thursday, so it might have been her.

Well done to Miguel. Most journalists have just given up reporting on sportswashing (mostly because many fans don't seem to care). His job would be so much easier if he did too, but he ploughs on.

Miguel Delaney@migueldelaney.bsky.social · 8mo ago

Delighted to win @thefsa.bsky.social football writer of the year - especially given what the organisation is

I've a letter in today's Irish Times about the MetroLink judicial review. I urge everyone who regularly drives near Ranelagh to do the same.

So sad to hear about Mani. I once spent a surreal day with him in Dublin, tagging along as he and his good mate @swench.bsky.social went around looking at record shops and having pints. A genuinely lovely man, so generous with his time to everyone he met on the street.

This is a very perceptive piece. Music fans at outdoor gigs are treated appallingly. The facilities are really poor, and yet fans are routinely paying €100+ for their tickets.

Niamh O’Mahony@niamhomahony.bsky.social · 10mo ago

As a music fan, it’s awful the manner in which some gigs in Ireland are organised, with absolutely no sense of providing a good fan experience … so I wrote about it for @irishexaminer.bsky.social & how the industry can learn from sport. #speirgorm #livemusic www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...

Another fine piece from the unofficial historian of 1970’s television/Granadaland. I actually remember that 90s Match of the Day Madchester theme.

Mike Whalley@mikewhalley.bsky.social · last yr.

On the blog: What can the odder bits of Match of the Day's theme tune history tell us about the show's future? And when were the 1979 and 1990 remixes really scrapped? Let's look at the evidence, with a bit of help from Joy Division and Tony Christie: mikewhalleyblog.wordpress.com/2025/03/16/w...

I had the incredible experience of meeting Michael Lewis after his appearance at the L&H in UCD last night. He’s as good a storyteller in person as on the page. Stories about Christian Bale, Brad Pitt, Billy Beane and some highbrow stuff about the USA and Ireland’s future relationship.

I was at Bohs v Rovers as well. It was a brilliant day, and a real show of support for the #LOI. 33,208 at Lansdowne Road, a League of Ireland record. It was a big risk for Bohs, because a crowd of less than 18,000 would have been a financial disaster.

Niamh O’Mahony@niamhomahony.bsky.social · last yr.

First live action of #LeagueOfIreland season for me today. It’s not #CCFC84 but it’ll do for now ☺️